Teacher self-efficacy is a construct that exerts a powerful influence on the behaviors of teachers. Yet, few studies have been conducted examining the impact of contextual structures within educator preparation programs on the development of general and domain-specific teaching efficacy. This study investigated the impact of an embedded internship…

Due to the pervasiveness and negative impacts of trauma on students, it is essential for teachers to be prepared to use trauma-informed practices. Few studies focus on the preparation of preservice teachers for trauma-informed practices in teacher education programs. This manuscript presents findings from a mixed-methods study surveying…

"Emergent teacher leadership" is a new concept that refers to teacher leadership in its earliest forms among teachers at any point in their careers but particularly among teacher candidates and early-career teachers. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to investigate how six teacher candidates perceived their own…

As beginning teachers encounter their first classrooms, they struggle to enact curriculum and negotiate expectations of local context with their visions of "good teaching." This article is a qualitative research design utilizing interview data and narrative analysis to examine the storied experiences of beginning teacher participants…

This qualitative study analyzes the retention data of an urban teacher residency program, a recent approach to developing quality teachers. The authors identify patterns of movers, leavers, and stayers and draw on interview data to better understand residents' (program graduates) perspectives on ways the program informs their practice after…

Collaboration among educators is a vital component for teachers' success working with diverse students. Teacher preparation programs, however, have not sufficiently included experiences in which teacher candidates can learn about professional collaboration in preparation for clinical and professional experiences. In this article, the authors…

This study examined the differential effectiveness of three pathways to an elementary teaching credential across a large public university system. The study compared traditional campus-based, intern, and online credential programs across a 22-campus system using ratings of program preparation by 12,590 graduates after their first year of teaching…

This inquiry investigates action research as a tool to facilitate reflective practice in undergraduate preservice teachers. Typically utilized in graduate programs, action research is a viable tool for increasing preservice teachers' systematic classroom-based inquiry. This process is examined through a theoretical framework of narrative inquiry,…

Future models for teacher education may take many forms. This article suggests that extended clinical experience will improve teacher education programs. An internship program implemented at the University of Pittsburgh is presented as an example program. (DF)

The purpose of this article is to provide insights useful to readers involved in or considering the design and delivery of alternative path programs by presenting (a) a chronology of the multiple definitions of alternative certification, (b) key components of quality alternative path programs, viewed through the example of a program for…

One elementary school's ongoing process in developing an appropriate action research requirement for teacher candidates during their student teaching experience (internship) is described. The assignment has evolved from a pilot project with one intern and mentor teacher to a requirement for all interns at the school. Several issues that emerged…

Reports a study that examined the types and amounts of assistance desired by beginning teachers. Surveys of beginning secondary teachers suggest that mentors must consider beginning teachers' desires when determining the types and amounts of assistance provided. Data support the need to vary the quantity and type of assistance for novices. (SM)

Describes how the teacher education paradigm of the facilitating reflective educator was adopted to encourage development of reflective practitioners. Professional portfolios were incorporated into the preservice program as an admission requirement for student internships. The rationale behind portfolio usage, implementation and continuance of the…

This article presents excerpts from an inquiry group involving preservice teachers during a one-year internship. The inquiry group supported the interns in pursuing questions that arose out of their own practice. The excerpts illustrate three central topics (classroom management, curriculum and planning, and assessment), noting the challenges that…

Describes Virginia Wesleyan College's program to provide alternative certification for individuals wanting to change careers and enter teaching. An evaluation of the program shows that it works efficiently to attract well-qualified candidates from nontraditional pools and prepare them within state certification guidelines for local teaching. (SM)